Connor Bedard didn’t waste any time making his next wish known after signing his new deal with the Blackhawks.
The 2023 arrival of Chicago’s young star is now locked in for the long haul at $15 million per season over the next five years, and with that commitment came a clear message: he wants Patrick Kane back in Chicago.
Bedard made that point directly when he spoke with the media, and he didn’t bother to soften it.
“I hope so! I don't know what I could say to persuade his decision, but we'd all be so excited to have a player like that.
That would be incredible-to get to play with him and learn from him. Hopefully, he decides to come back.
It would make us a way better team.”
That’s as close to a public recruiting pitch as you’ll get. Bedard is not just talking about nostalgia or a feel-good reunion. He’s talking about help - real help for a Blackhawks offense that still leans too heavily on him.
Even with a 75-point season, Bedard has been the engine too often and the safety net too often since arriving in 2023. Chicago has a few younger pieces on the rise, including Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov, but the group still doesn’t look like a convincing top six.
That’s why Kane’s name keeps mattering here. Adding him would change the shape of the Blackhawks’ attack in a hurry.
For now, though, it’s Kane’s call. Bedard has made his preference obvious. Now Chicago waits to see where Kane decides to play next.
In Other News...
Cole Caufields World Cup Trip Will Get Canadiens Fans Talking
Cole Caufields offseason trip took a sharp turn from hockey to soccer, as the Canadiens winger was among a small group of NHL names spotted at the World Cup Final. Caufield was there with Trevor Zegras, Dylan Larkin and Filip Forsberg, an eye-catching mix of young talent and established stars that naturally got hockey fans paying attention well beyond the match itself.
The final itself did not exactly deliver a goal-filled showcase, which only added to the odd charm of seeing four NHL players taking it in together. For Montreal fans, though, the bigger conversation may be less about the game in Spain and Argentina and more about the company Caufield kept, especially with one of those names already the kind of player that can send a fan base into speculation mode. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Are Still Waiting On One Martin St-Louis Decision
The Canadiens offseason has been full of the usual roster chatter, but one of the quieter storylines is starting to stand out: Martin St-Louis still has not finalized the contract extension many around the team expected to be a formality by mid-July. In Montreal, where coaching decisions tend to draw plenty of attention, the wait has been longer than what fans have grown used to after past extensions came together much faster.
There is no official sign of trouble, and the mood around the situation remains positive, but the delay has been enough to spark some speculation about where things stand. For now, the Canadiens are simply in a holding pattern on a decision that feels more notable by the day, even if nothing publicly suggests the sides are headed anywhere but the same direction. [Read more 🡒]